GOPALPUR ON SEA

Cocooned by the, the emerald hills of the eastern Ghats and the rippling waters of the Bay of Bengal 482 km stretch of Orissa’s coastline offers sea worshippers a choice of some first rate, world-class white beaches. The kaleidoscope of exotic visuals and the experiences of Orissa’s natural landscape act as a stunning foil to her ancient cultural heritage.

Gopalpur-on –Sea, situated 186km from Bhubaneshwar the capital, gives the visitor a really cool beach experience. Its secluded and pristine conditions have made it a popular choice for those who want to avoid the crush of humanity on some of the more public beaches. Towering coconut palms dot the landscape, while the pearly quality of the sands contrasts beguilingly with the azure waters of the sea. Located 16km from Behrampur, it’s hard to believe that laid back Gopalpur was once a humming seaport. Remnants of its more active past are visible in the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty, mute witnesses to its past glory of commercial activity. Today its Blue Beach is supposed to be one of the finest beaches in Orissa.

If you’re tired of being a beach bum take a canoe ride to the Blue Bay in the Backwaters. Go surfing, go sailing…this is the life for the true water baby. Discerning travelers from abroad seek out Gopalpur’s warm waters even in the winter. If you’ve got the time make a trip to Chilka Lake which is situated on the coastline between Gopalpur and Puri . This island dotted bird sanctuary can be reached by taking a slow boat from Balligan or Rambha.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air:
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 186 km away. The State capital is connected to rest of the country by all major airlines.

By Rail:
Contrary to popular belief, there still are some places that aren’t connected by rail. Welcome to one of them. Berhampur, 16 km away, is the nearest railhead and an important one on the South Eastern railway, linking Vizag in the south and Bhubaneswar to the north.

By Road
Getting there is easiest via Berhampur, from where frequent minibuses and jeeps depart the central bus stand for the 16-kilometre trip.
Bhubaneswar – 180 km; Balugaon – 110 km; Barkul – 113 km and Rambha – 60 km short of Gopalpur.
Taxi fare from Bhubaneswar - Gopalpur is Rs. 1,200 - 1,500.

GETTING AROUND

You'll be dumped at the top of Gopalpur's "main street", ten minutes' walk from the seafront and most of the hotels. Getting around is not an issue.
All of 16 kms, the sea shore town of Gopalpur with her blue beach attracts visitors from around the globe and offers "Sun-Surf & Sand" to them. The back waters of the Blue Bay enhances the beauty of the quiet beach. Far from the maddening crowd, the sea side resort makes every moment a cherished experience.

WHERE TO PUT UP

If You Wanna’ Blow Dough
Oberoi Palm Beach (Tel: 0680-82021)
5-star hotel. Rooms are situated around central lawn, jogging track, lots of palm trees and easy access to beach. The snazzy restaurant serves plush, expensive buffet spreads; the bar is more reasonably priced. Rs2200 and up.

If You Wanna’ Live Sensibly
Mermaid, on the north side of the beach (Tel: 0680-82050)
Plain, upmarket place pitched at wealthy Calcuttans. Tariffs include full board
non-residents can eat at the restaurant . Rs350-750.

If You’re Really Smart
Rosalin, on the seafront (Tel: 0680-82071)
Chaotic, family-run establishment with cells around a small garden-cum-courtyard and a very informal restaurant in .Upto Rs100-225.

Holiday Inn, near the lighthouse. It has nothing to do with the Holiday Inn - a handful of very basic rooms around a yard with bucket baths and no running water. Upto Rs100.

Sea Side Breeze, north side of the beach (0680-82075)
Simple but pleasant enough, with spacious, neat rooms, some opening on to the sea. Rs225-350.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Expect seafood to fill your appetite. Some of the restaurateurs have over time come up with some very delicious new recepies.
Apart from the restaurants the Naz Snack Bar is the place for nice hot pakoras and samosas. Chinese dishes are a speciality at the Rohini up on the main street.

THINGS TO DO

Take time of to visit the Bhita Kanika sanctuary, which was created for the protection of Olive Ridley marine turtles. You can get in touch with the Orissa Tourism Office in Bhubaneshwar to make arrangement to visit.

The annual migration of the Ridley marine turtles around February and March,to a strip of beach at the end of Orissa's central river delta is one of the great mysteries of nature. Making the hazardous journey across the Pacific and Indian oceans, 200,000 female Olive Ridley marine turtles crawl onto the sand here to lay their annual batch of eggs. Twenty minutes later, the mass exodus begins to make the equally hazardous journey home.
The Ridley turtles, are, as a matter of fact a protected species, but for the local villagers the arrival of the giant turtles has traditionally been a source of income and of course lips smacking soups and meat dishes. Seeing the drastic decline in numbers as a result of their mindless slaughter Prime Minister Indira Gandhi commissioned a special wildlife reserve to protect them. The Bhita Kanika Sanctuary on Gahirmatha beach, 130km from Bhubaneshwar, offers the nesting turtles a refuge. Coastguards monitor the progress of the turtles as they approach the Orissan shores.

WHERE TO SHOP

Berhampur is famous for silk weaving and if you wander along the street around the main temple you could come up with some really fine treasures in those tiny shops.

General Information
STD Code 068081

Tourist Office
New Bus Stand ( 1st Floor)
Berhampur
District Ganjam,
Tel: 203226 Orissa Tour & Tourist Counter
Railway Station,
Berhampur
Tel : 203870

Medical Matters
If you’re unlucky enough to fall ill here, only the greatest doctor of all times can help you – GOD.